Raj Kapoor Family Tree: The Story Behind Bollywood's Greatest Showman

Ranbir Raj Kapoor (1924–1988), born 14 December 1924 in Peshawar, North-West Frontier Province, British India (now Pakistan), and died 2 June 1988 in New Delhi, was Bollywood's most-celebrated actor-director — nicknamed "The Greatest Showman of Indian Cinema"; founded R. K. Films (1948); iconic films Aag (1948), Barsaat (1949), Awara (1951), Shree 420 (1955), Jagte Raho (1956), Mera Naam Joker (1970), Bobby (1973), Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978), Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985); Padma Bhushan (1971), Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1987); 3 National Film Awards.

The Family's Roots: The Kapoor Cinema Dynasty (Peshawar Punjabi)

Founded by his father Prithviraj Kapoor — 4 generations of the family in Bollywood.

His Parents

Father: Prithviraj Kapoor (1906–1972) — Bollywood pioneer actor; founder of Prithvi Theatre; Dadasaheb Phalke Award 1971.

Mother: Ramsarni Devi Mehra Kapoor — Peshawar.

His Brothers

Shammi Kapoor (1931–2011) — actor (Junglee, Kashmir Ki Kali).

Shashi Kapoor (1938–2017) — actor (Deewaar, Kabhie Kabhie, Trikal); Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2015.

His Wife: Krishna Malhotra

Krishna Kapoor (née Malhotra) (1930–2018) — married Raj on 12 May 1946.

Their Children

Randhir Kapoor, born 15 February 1947 — son; actor/director (father of Kareena and Karisma).

Rishi Kapoor (1952–2020) — son; actor (Bobby, Chandni, 102 Not Out).

Rajiv Kapoor (1962–2021) — son; actor.

Ritu Nanda (1948–2020) — daughter.

Reema Jain — daughter.

The Kapoor Family Tree at a Glance

Grandfather: Basheshar Nath Kapoor — Peshawar.

Father: Prithviraj Kapoor (1906–1972) — Dadasaheb Phalke 1971.

Mother: Ramsarni Devi Kapoor.

Brothers: Shammi Kapoor (1931–2011); Shashi Kapoor (1938–2017) — Dadasaheb Phalke 2015.

Wife: Krishna Malhotra (1930–2018; m. 12 May 1946).

Children: Randhir (b. 15 February 1947); Ritu Nanda (1948–2020); Rishi Kapoor (1952–2020); Rajiv Kapoor (1962–2021); Reema Jain.

Grandchildren include: Karisma Kapoor (b. 1974), Kareena Kapoor (b. 1980), Ranbir Kapoor (b. 1982) — all Bollywood A-listers.

Raj Kapoor:

  • Born 14 December 1924, Peshawar
  • Assistant to Kidar Sharma; debut Aag 1948 (as director-producer-star at 24)
  • R.K. Studios founded 1948
  • Iconic "tramp" persona in Awara, Shree 420 (inspired by Chaplin's Little Tramp)
  • 3 National Film Awards
  • Padma Bhushan: 1971
  • Dadasaheb Phalke Award: 1987 (last major honor)
  • Died: 2 June 1988, Delhi — asthma attack while receiving the Dadasaheb Phalke ceremony at Siri Fort auditorium, from Rajiv Gandhi

What the Kapoor Family Story Teaches Us

A Peshawar family that produced 4 generations of Bollywood stars — Prithviraj (Dadasaheb Phalke 1971), Raj (Dadasaheb Phalke 1987), Rishi/Randhir/Rajiv/Shammi/Shashi, and now Karisma/Kareena/Ranbir. A wife of 42 years. 5 children. A career that ended dramatically at the moment of receiving the highest cinema honor.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Raj Kapoor story carries the same lesson. Some families anchor a country's cinema for 100 years.

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